Customizable Hair Band

ABSTRACT

A hair band with a removable decorative section has a hair band base with an inside surface for contacting a wearer&#39;s hair and an outer surface opposite of the inside surface having a trough. The trough contains a first type of a hook and loop material. A hair band decorative section has a decorative outer surface and a second type of the hook and loop material on an inner surface that is opposite of the decorative outer surface. The hair band decorative section is removably affixed to the hair band base by the hook and loop material and when the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base, the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/824,262, filed Jun. 28, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of clothing accessories and more particularly to a hair band that has interchangeable decorative surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Many people use hair bands to keep their hair in place and/or for style purposes. People that use hair bands often find that they have drawers full of hair bands of various sizes, colors and patterns.

There have been many prior attempts at patenting hair bands with interchangeable decorative surfaces but few have made it to the market. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,316 to Claudia Klug describes a kit that contains, among other things, a hair band and several decorative strips. The outer surface of the hair band has loop material and the inner surface of the decorative strips have hook material. When one wishes to wear a certain decorative strip, that strip is affixed to the hair band using the hook and loop interface. Although this functions to interchange decorative strips, the hook and loop material is visible from the side of the hair band, making such a system unattractive especially when the wearer is trying to decorate their head.

Other systems have been disclosed in the patent literature, including sleeves that cover the entire hair band by pushing the hair band through the sleeve then closing the open end. This requires that the decorative material cover all sides of the hair band including the surface that abuts the wearer's head, often accumulating stains from the wearer's hair.

What is needed is a hair band with interchangeable decorative outer covers that do not show the interface that connects the outer covers with the hair band.

SUMMARY

A hair band has multiple decorative sections and one base section. By way of hidden attachment mechanisms, any one of the multiple decorative sections are removably attached to the base section, appearing as a finished headband without sight of the attachment mechanisms.

In one embodiment, a hair band with a removable decorative section is disclosed including a hair band base. The hair band base has an inside surface for contacting a wearer's hair and an outer surface opposite of the inside surface having a trough. The trough contains a first type of a hook and loop material. A hair band decorative section has a decorative outer surface and a second type of the hook and loop material on an inner surface that is opposite of the decorative outer surface. The hair band decorative section is removably affixed to the hair band base by the hook and loop material and when the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base, the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.

In another embodiment, a method of decorating a hair band is disclosed including providing a plurality of hair band decorative sections. Each decorative section has a decorative outer surface and a first type of a hook and loop material on an opposing, inner surface. The method includes attaching one of the hair band decorative sections to a hair band base. The hair band base has second type of the hook and loop material set into a trough in the hair band base such that after attaching of the hair band decorative section, the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.

In another embodiment, a hair band with a removable decorative section is disclosed including a hair band base, the hair band base has an inside surface for contacting a wearer's hair and an outer surface opposite of the inside surface that has a trough. The trough contains hook material. A hair band decorative section has a decorative outer surface and loop material on an inner surface that is opposite of the decorative outer surface. The hair band decorative section is removably affixed to the hair band base by the hook material removably adhering to loop material. When the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base, the hook material and loop material are completely surrounded by the trough and the inner surface of the decorative section. The hook material and the loop material are not visible from any direction while the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hair band of the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second hair band of the prior art.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a hair band.

FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the hair band showing a first attachment mechanism.

FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the hair band showing a second attachment mechanism.

FIG. 4C illustrates a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the hair band showing a third attachment mechanism.

FIG. 4D illustrates a sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the hair band showing a fourth attachment mechanism.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a loop connector of the hair band.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of a loop connector connected to a resilient member of the hair band.

FIG. 5C illustrates a perspective view of a loop connector connected at both ends to a resilient member of the hair band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a hair band 10 of the prior art is shown. The hair band 10 of the prior art has an inside surface 12 for contact with the wearer's head and an outer, decorative surface 14, in this example having a butterfly print. Often, such hair bands 10 are color and/or pattern coordinated with the wearer's clothing and, therefore, the wearer often has many hair bands 10. Due to the nature of the hair band's 10 shape, accumulations of hair bands 10 of various ornamentation often require substantial storage space.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a second hair band 20 of the prior art is shown. In an attempt to reduce storage space and, perhaps, cost, the hair band 20 of the prior art has a removable decorative cover 24. The hair band 20 removable decorative cover 24 has a first type of hook and loop material 28 on an inner surface. The hair band base 30 has the mating type of hook and loop material 26 on an outer surface. Although this hair band 20 reduces space required for a collection of hair bands, the hook and loop material is visible from the side and/or edge, making the hair band 20 less attractive and results in hair being tangled in the hook and loop material 26/28.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an improved hair band 40 is shown. This improved hair band 40 provides the interchangeability of the hair band 20 while hiding the connection mechanism in a trough, as will be described.

The hair band 40 has a decorative outer surface 44, in this example having a bear print. Often, such hair bands 40 are color and/or pattern coordinated with the wearer's clothing and, therefore, the wearer often desires many different decorative outer surfaces 44. Due to the nature of the hair band's 40 shape, accumulations of hair bands 40 of various ornamentation often require substantial storage space.

The improved hair band 40 has an base 42 with an inside surface for contact with the wearer's head having a smooth surface or non-smooth surface as known in the industry (e.g. grooved, points, or textured in any way to improve retention on the wearer's head).

As will be shown in the cross-sectional views of the hair band 40, the attachment mechanism is recessed and surrounded on the bottom and four sides by a trough 46 within the hair band base 42, therefore, after affixing the hair band decorative section 44 to the hair band base 42, the hair band decorative section 44 appears to be a fixed part of the hair band 40 (e.g. eliminating visibility of the attachment mechanism from any direction). Hiding of the attachment mechanism results in a hair band 40 that is difficult to distinguish from a typical hair band 10 of the prior art which has a fixed decorative outer surface 14. The attachment mechanism provides exchangeable decorative sections 44. The attachment mechanism is not visible from any direction when the decorative section 44 is in place on the hair band base 42. In such, one part of the hook and loop material (e.g. the loop material 50 is on the back surface of the decorative section 44 and is sized to match the size of the other part of the hook and loop material (e.g. the hook material 52), at least sized to fit within the trough 46. The trough supports the other part of the hook and loop material (e.g. the hook material 52) and, after the hook and loop material 50/52 are joined, the trough completely hides the hook and loop material 50/52 or any other fastener as described in FIGS. 4A-4D.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a sectional view of the hair band 40 showing a first attachment mechanism is shown. The hair band base 42 includes a depression or trough 46. In this attachment mechanism, hook material 52 is affixed to at least part of the trough 46 and loop material 50 is affixed to at least part of the decorative section 44. Therefore, when the decorative section 44 is installed, the loop material 50 removably adheres to the hook material 52, holding the decorative section 44 to the base 42. The trough 46 is preferably deep enough to contain the mated hook 52 and loop 50 material so that the hook 52 and loop 50 material doesn't show from any side or from the ends of the hair band 40. In an alternate embodiment, the loop material 50 is affixed to at least part of the trough 46 and the hook material 52 is affixed to at least part of the decorative section 44. It is preferred that the loop material 50 be affixed to the decorative section 44, as shown in FIGS. 5A-C, the decorative section 44 is worn without the hair band base 42 and having the loop material 50 on the decorative section 44 reduces tangles and snagging of hair when worn this way.

Note that this is an example and other types and configurations of removably adhering material are anticipated such as sticky surfaces, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a sectional view of the hair band 40 showing a second type of attachment mechanism is shown. In this attachment mechanism, the hair band base 42 includes a female receptacle 64 and a male connector 62 is attached or formed in the bottom surface 60 of the hair band decorative section 44. Therefore, when the decorative section 44 is installed, the male connector 62 seats into the female receptacle 64 and removably holds the decorative section 44 to the base 42. The male connector 62 is preferably recessed deep enough into the hair band base 42 as to contain the mated female receptacle 64 and male connector 62 so that the female receptacle 64 and male connector 62 do not show from the side of the hair band 40. In an alternate embodiment, the female receptacle 64 is attached or formed on the decorative section 44 and the male connector 62 is formed or attached to the hair band base 42. Note that this is an example and other forms and shapes of female receptacles 64 and male connectors 62 are anticipated.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a sectional view of the hair band 40 showing a third attachment mechanism is shown. In this attachment mechanism, the hair band base 42 includes a male key 74 (keystone shaped). A female key 72 (keystone shaped) is attached or formed in the bottom surface 70 of the hair band decorative section 44. Therefore, when the decorative section 44 is installed, the male key 74 seats into the female key 72 and removably holds the decorative section 44 to the base 42. The male key 74 is preferably recessed deep enough into the hair band base 42 as to contain the mated female key 72 and male key 74 so that the female key 72 and male key 74 do not show from the side of the hair band 40. In an alternate embodiment, the female key 72 is attached or formed on the decorative section 44 and the male key 74 is formed or attached to the hair band base 42.

In some embodiments, the male key 74 snaps into the female key 72, while in other embodiments, the male key 74 slides through the female key 72 starting at one end of the hair band base 42.

Referring to FIG. 4D, a sectional view of the hair band 40 showing a fourth attachment mechanism is shown. In this example, the recess 80 is formed in the decorative section 44 and the hair band base 42 has protrusions 84 that mate with detents 82 in the recess 80 of the decorative section 44. Although the decorative section 44 is shown as a different material than the recess 80 and detents 82, in some embodiments, the decorative section 44, the recess 80 and detents 82 are made of the same material. In an alternate embodiment, the protrusions 84 are on the inside surface of the recess 80 and the detents 82 are on the edges of the hair band base 42.

In this example, the decorative section 44 is pressed onto the hair band base 42, deforming the outer edges of the recess 80 until the detents 82 pass over the protrusions 84, at which point the resiliency of the detents 82 close the detents 82 over the protrusions 84, thereby holding the decorative section 44 to the hair band base 42 until removed at a later time.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, an alternate decorative section 44 is wearable as a soft hair band without the hair band base 42. In this, the decorative section has a loop 90 at each end, preferably, but not required, to be on an inside surface at ends of the attachment mechanism (as shown, ends of the loop material 50). A resilient member 92 is provided having hooks 93 that mate with the loops 90, completing and closing the hair band decorative section 44 as shown in FIG. 5C. In this way, the decorative section 44 is wearable as a soft head band, held to the wearer's head by the resiliency of the resilient member 92. Note that after repeated uses, resilient members 92 often stretch out of shape and, in a preferred embodiment, the resilient member 92 has an adjustment buckle 94 that permits tightening and/or loosening of pressure exerted by the resilient member 92.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair band with a removable decorative section, the hair band comprising: a hair band base, the hair band base having an inside surface for contacting a wearer's hair, the hair band base having outer surface opposite of the inside surface having a trough, the trough contains a first type of a hook and loop material; a hair band decorative section, the hair band decorative section comprising a decorative outer surface and the hair band decorative section having a second type of the hook and loop material on an inner surface that is opposite of the decorative outer surface; and the hair band decorative section is removably affixed to the hair band base by the hook and loop material; whereas, when the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base, the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.
 2. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the first type of the hook and loop material is hook material and the second type of the loop and loop material is loop material.
 3. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the first type of the hook and loop material is loop material and the second type of the hook and loop material is loop material.
 4. The hair band of claim 1, further comprising a loop formed at each end of the decorative section, the loops for attaching to a resilient member for wearing the decorative section without the hairband base.
 5. The hair band of claim 4, wherein each end of the resilient member has hooks for removably attaching the hooks to the loops at each end of the decorative section.
 6. The hair band of claim 5, wherein the resilient member has an adjustment buckle for adjusting a length of the resilient member.
 7. A method of decorating a hair band, the method comprising: providing a plurality of hair band decorative sections, each decorative section having a decorative outer surface and a first type of a hook and loop material on an opposing, inner surface; and attaching one of the hair band decorative sections to a hair band base, the hair band base having second type of the hook and loop material, the second type of the hook and loop material set into a trough in the hair band base such that after attaching of the one of the hair band decorative sections, the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first type of the hook and loop material is hook material and the second type of the hook and loop material is loop material.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first type of the hook and loop material is loop material and the second type of the hook and loop material is hook material.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: removing the one of the hair band decorative sections from the hair band base; and attaching another of the hair band decorative sections to a hair band base; whereas the hook and loop material is not visible from any direction.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: removing the one of the hair band decorative sections from the hair band base; attaching a resilient member to loops formed in each end of the hair band decorative section; and wearing the hair band decorative section without the hair band base.
 12. A hair band with a removable decorative section, the hair band comprising: a hair band base, the hair band base having an inside surface for contacting a wearer's hair, the hair band base having outer surface opposite of the inside surface having a trough, the trough contains a hook material; a hair band decorative section, the hair band decorative section comprising a decorative outer surface and the hair band decorative section having a loop material on an inner surface that is opposite of the decorative outer surface; and the hair band decorative section is removably affixed to the hair band base by the hook material removably adhering to loop material; whereas, when the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base, the hook material and loop material are completely surrounded by the trough and the inner surface of the decorative section; whereas the hook material and the loop material are not visible from any direction while the hair band decorative section is affixed to the hair band base.
 13. The hair band of claim 12, further comprising a loop formed at each end of the decorative section, the loops for attaching to a resilient member for wearing the decorative section without the hairband base.
 14. The hair band of claim 13, wherein each end of the resilient member has hooks for removably attaching the hooks to the loops at each end of the decorative section.
 15. The hair band of claim 14, wherein the resilient member has an adjustment buckle for adjusting a tension from the resilient member. 